Sam Kirwan, branch manager at Jewson’s Northampton site, explains on film the importance of learning about ratios when it comes to paint mixing in a builders’ merchant.

Connecting learning to life at Jewson

Published: 14 June, 2013

Jewson recently took part in a new education initiative that introduces work-related learning into primary schools - the Yes Programme.

Branch manager Sam Kirwan was filmed at Jewson’s Northampton branch, explaining to pupils the importance of learning about ratios when it comes to the job of paint mixing in a builders’ merchant.

The Yes programme is a bank of 90 career-related films and resources developed with curriculum specialists, providing real-life illustrations of the relevance of learning to the world of work, covering Key Stage 2 core subjects.

Each video in the series is accompanied by lesson sheets outlining classroom discussions and activities to support the teachers and pupils.

David Fenton, marketing director at Jewson, said: “We were delighted to be involved in the Yes Programme. This type of career-related film helps pupils understand how the subjects they learn in class can prove useful in future employment. Ms Kirwan and the team at the Northampton branch did a great job on the video, giving pupils a unique insight into working for a builders’ merchant.”

Sonita Alleyne, founder of the Yes Programme, concluded: “We are heading into a challenging employment market and we wanted to give teachers a simple, inventive way to encourage respect and awareness of a wide range of occupations at an early age. Our mission is to connect everything in the curriculum to a job using those skills and help teachers reinforce the relevance of what pupils are learning.”